How Much are High Index Lenses?
High index lenses are more expensive than regular lenses, but just how much are they?
The Cost of High Index Lenses
High index lenses are thinner, lighter, and better looking than other lens materials, so it’s no wonder that they’re more expensive than standard lens materials.
Still, it’s a good question if you’re wondering how much are high index lenses. The answer is, it depends. It depends on lens color, prescription type, how high index you’re getting, and other things like coatings and frame choice.
A good rule of thumb is to consider that, aside from frame price, you can choose how expensive you want your high index lenses to be based on these options, and it can fall between $150 and $300 a pair, generally.
Here’s a good set of guidelines to consider when shopping for high index lenses:
- The higher your lens’s index, the more expensive it’s going to be. 1.67 is less expensive than 1.70, which is less expensive than 1.74, and so on.
- High index glass is typically more expensive than high index plastic, but it’s heavier. High index glass should only be considered if your primary concern is having the thinnest lenses possible. High index glass lenses are the thinnest lenses, though they’re heavier than high index plastic.
- High index lenses are all going to reduce your lens thickness compared to standard lenses, and they’ll reduce weight if you’re getting high index plastic.
- The higher your lens index, generally the more the lenses will reduce the effect your prescription has on distorting the apparent size of your eyes.
- Getting special lens coatings, tints and colors (when available) are going to increase the price of your lenses.
- High index lenses in larger frames are generally going to be more expensive, if they’re available at all.
- The type of prescription you’re getting will affect how much your high index lenses are as well. Single vision is cheaper than bifocals.
If you’re shopping for high index lenses and want to keep your cost low, go with clear, single vision lenses. If you don’t mind the cost going up, you can treat yourself to some “bells and whistles” such as Transitions lens color, progressive bifocals, and special coatings.
High index lenses are more expensive than standard lenses not only because they are better, but also because they cost more to be created. Much advanced science and development techniques go into creating high index lenses, and the special materials are also more expensive to produce.
If you’re wondering which index and lens options are right for you, you can check out some of our other posts or leave us a comment below. Thanks for reading!
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